Waiting on Wednesday – Brightstorm by Vashti Hardy

Synopsis (from Foyles): 

Twins Arthur and Maudie receive word in Lontown that their famous  explorer father died in a failed attempt to reach South Polaris. Not only that, but he has been accused of trying to steal fuel from his competitors before he died! The twins don’t believe the news,
and they answer an ad to help crew a new exploration attemptin the hope of learning the truth and salvaging their family’s reputation.

As the winged ship Aurora sets sail, the twins must keep their wits about them and prove themselves worthy of the rest of the crew. But will Arthur and Maudie find the answers they seek?Why I can’t wait to read Brightstorm: 

• This has been compared to books I love – Mortal Engines, Cogheart and His Dark Materials. I love Steam Punk, and adventure, and inventive worlds where the science is similar but not the same as our world. 

 

• Twins. There is scope for conflict. What is they come to different conclusions? Can their sibling relationship survive the adventure?

 

• The accusation against the Twins’ father poses a question early on which needs to be answered. As well as the Arthur and Maudie’s own adventure, I am interested in their father. This reminds me of Will and John Parry from His Dark Materials, another story in which a child seeks answers about a parent’s expedition. 

 

• It sounds like the twins have a trial to overcome to stay on-board the airship. It sounds like there could be a lot of excitement as they work to keep themselves on track to South Polaris. 

 

• Vashti Hardy is a Golden Egg graduate, with so many interesting things to say about the writing process. Catch on Twitter at @vashti_hardy. 

 

Brightstorm by Vashti Hardi

Scholastic UK

March 2018